October 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Former No. 1 overall quarterback Kyler Murray has agreed to a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
The deal was announced by the team on Thursday, the day after Murray was officially released by the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he played his first seven NFL seasons.
He confirmed the news by posting on his X account wearing Vikings gear with the caption “Skol.”
squall. pic.twitter.com/pluMd4wp0k
— Kyler Murray (@K1) March 12, 2026
With Arizona State owing Murray $36.8 million for the 2026 season despite his release, the dual-threat quarterback will reportedly receive $1.3 million from Minnesota, the league’s minimum contract for a veteran of seven or more seasons.
According to multiple reports, the deal includes a no-tag clause, meaning the Vikings cannot place the franchise tag on Murray after the 2026 season.
Murray was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and made the Pro Bowl in his second and third seasons, but has struggled significantly when he was on the field in the four seasons since.
He played in a career-low five games in 2025, coming off the season on injured reserve with a foot injury, and threw for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions with a career-low 173 rushing yards and one rushing score.
He has played a full regular season only once in the past five years (2024). In 87 career games (all starts), Murray has a 38-48-1 record and has completed 67.1% of his passes for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns, 60 interceptions, 3,193 rushing yards, and 32 scores.
Murray has appeared in just one playoff game in 2021, throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns in a 34-11 wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
In Minnesota, he will be fighting with current starter JJ McCarthy for the QB1 gig this coming season. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, also battled injuries last season in his first action since missing the entire 2024 season with a torn meniscus.
McCarthy made 10 starts in 2025, completing 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 181 yards and four touchdowns.
–Field level media
